natural gas Photo: VCG

Multiple local governments in North China's Hebei Province have responded to complaints from residents about cuts in natural gas supply and top-up limits, vowing to address the current issues and secure supplies. They also summoned local suppliers for talks. 

On the Message Board for Leaders, an online platform for complaints and proposals, a resident in Handan, Hebei Province reported that the natural gas supply had been cut among local communities in mid-December. The government of Handan replied to the complaint on Thursday saying that multiple factors, including the high price of natural gas and the earlier arrival of the energy peak this year had affected the energy supply in winter. 

The government has summoned the local branch of China Gas, a state-owned energy company, to negotiate for more natural gas, along with other measures to secure the energy supply.

Residents in Xingtai on December 18, 2022 also complained about cuts in the natural gas supply and top-up limits of 150 cubic meters for each month. The local government said that the supply shortage was caused by insufficient contracted natural gas volume, and said it has required energy supply companies to secure the household energy demand in the winter.

The Development and Reform Bureau of Daming County under Handan on December 23 responded to queries about top-up limits, saying that the local natural gas supply volume has been expanded to 400,000 cubic meters each day and more liquid natural gas reserve facilities are being made available. 

Global Times